Acquisition Aims to Advance Li-ion Battery Technology

Jul 08, 2008

QuantumSphere, a developer of catalyst materials, electrode devices, and related technologies and systems for portable power and clean-energy applications, has acquired west-coast-based Energetics to advance research and development of Li-ion batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen production, and bio-fuel applications. Founded in 2001, Energetics has focused on advanced energy technologies, primarily in the areas of next-generation Li-ion batteries, fuel cells for portable power, hydrogen and syngas production from biomass, and hydrogen purification and reforming technologies.

The company’s founder and chief executive, Subramanian Iyer, will serve as principal technologist for QuantumSphere and will leverage more than 30 years of experience in technology advances for metallurgy, batteries, fuel cells and renewable energy technologies.

“Batteries are struggling to keep up with consumer energy and power demands, and my team members and I are focused on game-changing increases in rechargeable Li-ion battery capacity and power density to directly address this issue,” says Iyer. “Leveraging QuantumSphere’s existing infrastructure, scientific team and commercial relationships will allow us to accelerate development and commercialization of key portable power and clean energy technologies quickly and cost-effectively.”

Iyer’s research has focused on alkaline polymeric membrane fuel cells, regenerative fuel cells and high-temperature fuel cells for internally-reformed hydrocarbons, in addition to rechargeable Li-ion batteries. Iyer has secured grants for his research from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy, as well as the Energy Innovations Small Grants Program of the California Energy Commission and the San Diego-based Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technologies.